Lateral confinement device, assembly, and method of use with construction materials

ABSTRACT

Devices, assemblies, and methods for increasing lateral confinement, strength, and/or ductility in construction materials are disclosed. A ring with a continuous outer perimeter that is sized to fit at least partially within a perimeter of a piece of construction material, such as a construction block formed from masonry materials, may be used. The ring may be formed from a material that provides a higher tensile strength than one or more corresponding construction materials, so that when the ring and the one or more construction materials are assembled together, the ring provides increased resistance to lateral forces. This may be used to provide a structure with greater strength and durability.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The field relates to devices, assemblies, and methods for increasing the strength and/or ductility of construction materials.

BACKGROUND

Materials used in construction are often selected to provide a desired strength and/or ductility under compression-type forces (i.e., axial forces applied by a load). However, some construction materials selected to provide a specific level of compression strength and/or ductility for a particular application may not provide sufficient strength and/or ductility to withstand other forces such as, for example, lateral forces caused by seismic activity, wind, etc. As a result, an improvement in lateral confinement is needed to achieve such strength and/or ductility requirements in certain construction materials.

SUMMARY

This summary is intended to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description section of this disclosure. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, and it is not intended to be used as an aid in isolation for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In brief, and at a high level, this disclosure describes, among other things, devices, assemblies, and methods for increasing the strength and/or ductility of construction materials. In one embodiment, a lateral confinement device is a ring having a continuous outer perimeter sized to fit at least partially within a perimeter of a piece of construction material (e.g., a masonry block). The ring may be formed from a material that provides a higher tensile strength than the construction material so that, when the ring and the construction material are assembled together, the ring increases the strength and/or ductility of the construction material at least with respect to lateral forces (e.g., forces applied perpendicular to a force from a load supported by the construction material). A lateral confinement and/or support device may be formed from a number of different materials, or combinations of materials, and/or may be formed to have different shapes, sizes, and/or cross-sections to provide lateral strength and/or ductility in a number of different applications.

In one embodiment, a device for increasing lateral strength and/or ductility of construction materials is provided. The device comprises a ring shaped to fit at least partially within a perimeter of a piece of construction material. The ring includes a continuous outer perimeter and increases at least one of a lateral strength and a lateral ductility of the piece of construction material when attached to the piece of construction material.

In another embodiment, an assembly for increasing the lateral strength and/or ductility of construction materials is provided. The assembly comprises a construction block comprising at least one construction material and a ring having a continuous outer perimeter that is sized to fit at least partially within a perimeter of the construction block. A material used to form the ring has a higher tensile strength than the at least one construction material of the construction block.

In another embodiment, a method of assembling construction materials to provide lateral confinement and support is provided. The method comprises providing a construction block comprising at least one construction material and a surface, placing a securing material on the surface, and placing a ring comprising a continuous outer perimeter onto the securing material. The ring comprises a higher tensile strength than the at least one construction material.

The term “construction material” as used herein is intended to encompass any type of construction material, such as construction masonry (e.g., brick, block, stone, etc.) as well as mud, clay, ceramics, and/or any other type of construction material formed into blocks, pieces, or sections of any size or shape. These examples of construction materials are intended to be exemplary and non-limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter disclosed herein is described in detail with reference to the attached drawing figures, which are intended to provide exemplary and non-limiting examples of the disclosed subject matter, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a structure formed from construction materials that is subjected to axial compression forces;

FIG. 2 depicts the structure of FIG. 1 subjected to axial compression forces and also to lateral forces applied perpendicular to the axial compression forces;

FIG. 3A depicts an exploded view of an exemplary lateral confinement ring, construction block, and securing material, in accordance with an embodiment hereof;

FIG. 3B depicts a non-exploded view of the lateral confinement ring, construction block, and securing material of FIG. 3A, in accordance with an embodiment hereof;

FIG. 4A depicts an exploded view of another lateral confinement ring, construction block, and securing material, in accordance with an embodiment hereof;

FIG. 4B depicts a non-exploded view of the lateral confinement ring, construction block, and securing material of FIG. 4A, in accordance with an embodiment hereof;

FIG. 5A depicts an exploded view of another lateral confinement ring, construction block, and securing material, in accordance with an embodiment hereof;

FIG. 5B depicts a non-exploded view of the lateral confinement ring, construction block, and securing material of FIG. 5A, in accordance with an embodiment hereof;

FIGS. 6A-6D depict alternative cross-section shapes of a lateral confinement ring used for increasing lateral strength and/or ductility of construction materials, such as a construction block, in accordance with an embodiment hereof;

FIGS. 7A-7B depict an exemplary structure assembled from construction blocks and lateral confinement rings, with different forces applied to the structure, in accordance with an embodiment hereof; and

FIG. 8 depicts a block diagram of an exemplary method of assembling construction materials to provide lateral confinement and support, in accordance with an embodiment hereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of this disclosure is described herein to meet statutory requirements. However, this description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Rather, the claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, to include different steps, combinations of steps, features, and/or combinations of features, similar to those described in this disclosure, and in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Moreover, although the terms “step” and/or “block” may be used herein to identify different elements of methods employed, the terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps or blocks except when the order is explicitly described and required.

At a high level, the subject matter of this disclosure relates to devices, assemblies, and methods for providing lateral confinement, strength, and/or ductility in construction materials. Structures assembled from construction materials, such as construction blocks formed from masonry, may be subjected primarily to axial compression forces during use (e.g., from a supported load). Accordingly, construction materials used to form a structure may be selected to provide appropriate resistance to such axial compression forces. However, in certain circumstances, additional forces, such as lateral forces applied to the construction materials from seismic activity, may increase the stress on the construction materials, resulting in failure. A lateral confinement device may be incorporated into the construction materials during the assembly process to provide increased lateral confinement, strength, and/or ductility by introducing or incorporating a material with a higher tensile strength and/or strain than the construction materials. Exemplary lateral confinement devices, assemblies, and methods of using the same are discussed further with respect to FIGS. 1-8.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a structure 10 formed from construction materials 12 is provided. In the example of FIG. 1, the construction materials 12 are formed into blocks 14 which are assembled to form the structure 10. The construction blocks 14 may be formed from masonry materials (e.g., concrete, clay, cement, etc.), and may be selected to withstand compression forces applied in an axial direction 16 relative to the construction blocks 14. The axial compression forces may also result in some amount of force being applied in the lateral direction 18 relative to the construction blocks 14 due to the horizontal expansion of construction materials 12. In this respect, the construction blocks 14 may be selected to withstand anticipated forces in the axial direction 16, and also, indirect forces produced in the lateral direction 18 from the axial forces.

Referring to FIG. 2, the structure 10 of FIG. 1 is depicted with both axial and lateral forces applied to it. The additional lateral forces 20 may result from different circumstances than the incidental lateral forces depicted in FIG. 1. For example, the lateral forces 20 depicted in FIG. 2 may be produced from impact, seismic activity, wind, or other reasons. These lateral forces 20 may therefore exceed the lateral strength and/or deformation ability of the construction materials 12 selected to provide a desired level of strength and/or ductility under normal loading. As a result, increased lateral confinement and support may be required for the construction materials 12 so that they are able to withstand a desired amount of lateral force.

Referring to FIGS. 3A-3B, an exploded and non-exploded view of an exemplary lateral confinement ring 22, construction block 24, and securing material 26 are provided, in accordance with an embodiment hereof. In FIG. 3A, the lateral confinement ring 22 (alternatively referred to herein as just a “ring”) includes a continuous outer perimeter 28 and is formed into a rectangular shape with four corners. The ring 22 generally conforms to the shape of the construction block 24. More specifically, the continuous outer perimeter 28 of the ring 22 is sized and shaped to at least partially fit within a perimeter 30 of the construction block 24. The ring 22 includes first, second, third, and fourth sides 32, 34, 36, 38, with the first and third sides 32, 36 being parallel and opposite to each other, and the second and fourth sides 34, 38 being parallel and opposite to each other. Additionally, as depicted in FIGS. 3A-3B, a connecting member 40 extends between the second and fourth sides 34, 38 of the ring 22.

The construction block 24 also includes first and second passageways 42, 44 extending from a first side surface 46 of the construction block 24 to a second side surface 48 of the construction block 24. For the purposes of this disclosure, a block that is a “solid block” includes no passageways, cavities, or hollowed-out interior portions. Blocks including any of these aforementioned features are considered to be “non-solid blocks.” The construction block 24 depicted in FIGS. 3A-3B may therefore be considered a non-solid block for the purposes of this disclosure. It should be noted that the lateral confinement devices, rings, and assemblies discussed herein, including those depicted in FIGS. 3A-3B, may be used with solid or non-solid blocks.

The ring 22 and the connecting member 40 are sized and arranged such that they can be overlaid on the first side surface 46 (or the second side surface 48) of the construction block 24 to circumscribe the first and second passageways 42, 44. In this respect, the ring 22 and the connecting member 40 generally follow a contour of the first side surface 46. The ring 22 may also be formed to lay flat on the first side surface 46 to minimize interference with the assembly of the construction block 24 with other blocks or materials. Furthermore, depending on a desired thickness of securing material (e.g., cement, mortar, etc.) to be applied, the ring 22 may be formed of a thickness that accommodates a desired spacing between the construction block 24 and another construction block or building material. For example, the ring 22 may have a diameter at its widest point of less than or equal to ⅛ inch, ¼ inch, ½ inch, or 1 inch. This thickness may be at the widest point or extended uniformly across a length of the ring 22.

The lateral confinement ring 22 depicted in FIGS. 3A-3B may be chosen to have a higher tensile strength, shear strength, and/or yield strength, among other strength and ductility characteristics, in comparison to at least a portion of the material used to form the construction block 24. This relative difference in strength and/or ductility may be used to increase lateral strength and/or ductility of the construction block 24. In another sense, when a construction material, such as one used to form the construction block 24, provides a desired level of strength and/or ductility in an axial direction 25 (i.e., for resisting compression forces), but not necessarily a desired level of strength and/or ductility in a lateral direction 27, the lateral confinement ring 22 may be used to supplement the lateral strength of the construction materials.

FIG. 3B depicts the ring 22, the construction block 24, and the securing material 26 layered onto each other in assembled form. In the exemplary configuration shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, the securing material 26, which may be mortar or another material, is overlaid onto the construction block 24, and the ring 22 is then overlaid onto the securing material 26 to form the assembly. It should be noted that the ring 22 may be placed first and the securing material 26 may then be placed on top of the ring 22 to form the assembly in an alternative assembly process. Additional construction blocks, confinement rings, and securing materials may also be stacked in repeating fashion as desired to form a structure with increased lateral confinement, strength, and/or ductility. Furthermore, in some aspects, the ring 22 may be interlocking or sequenced with other similar or different rings used on the same or different construction blocks.

The shape and size of the ring 22, the shape and size of the construction block 24, and the relative sizing of the ring 22 and the construction block 24 depicted in FIGS. 3A-3B are merely exemplary, and other configurations are possible and contemplated. Furthermore, multiple rings, including those formed concentrically or otherwise spaced to be contained within each other with continuous or non-continuous perimeters, may be used to provide increased lateral confinement, strength, and/or ductility for a corresponding construction block and/or construction material. Additionally, although a block-type construction material is depicted in FIGS. 3A-3B, in practice, a lateral confinement ring or device may also be used with materials that do not have a defined or clearly delineated shape, such as an irregular distribution of material (e.g., stucco or cement). Additionally, although FIG. 3A depicts a lateral confinement ring 22 with hollow interior portions 50, 52 (i.e., apertures), in other embodiments, the ring 22 may be a planar, non-apertured, and/or continuous surface extending between the continuous outer perimeter 28.

Referring to FIGS. 4A-4B, an exploded and non-exploded view of another lateral confinement ring 54, construction block 56, and securing material 58 are provided, in accordance with an embodiment hereof. FIGS. 4A-4B depict the construction block 56 being a solid block, or rather, being without passageways, cavities, or hollowed-out portions. In FIGS. 4A-4B, the ring 54 again includes a continuous outer perimeter 60 that generally follows a perimeter 62 of the construction block 56. In certain embodiments, the ring 54 may be sized and shaped to maintain at least 1/16, ⅛, ¼, ½, 1, or 2 inches of spacing from the perimeter 62 of the construction block 56. Additionally, in alternative embodiments, the ring 54 may instead be a lateral confinement plate that extends across part or all of a surface 64 of the construction block 56 with a continuous outer perimeter, or may be a series of concentric rings with continuous outer perimeters.

It should be noted that while the lateral confinement rings 22, 54 are discussed herein with respect to resisting direct lateral forces applied to the construction blocks 24, 56, in use, forces other than direct axial forces and direct lateral forces may be applied to the construction blocks 24, 56, producing incidental axial or lateral forces. As such, although not explicitly referenced in each example discussed herein, the lateral confinement rings 22, 54, or other lateral confinement rings referenced herein, may also resist such incidental forces.

Referring to FIGS. 5A-5B, an exploded and non-exploded view of another lateral confinement ring 66, construction block 68, and securing material 70 are provided, in accordance with an embodiment hereof. In FIGS. 5A-5B, the construction block 68 includes a plurality of passageways 72 extending through the construction block 68. Additionally, the lateral confinement ring 66 includes a continuous outer perimeter 74 that at least partially follows and fits within a perimeter 76 of the construction block 68. The lateral confinement ring 66 further includes a plurality of connecting members 78 which are interconnected, forming a lattice-type structure. As such, when the ring 66 is positioned on a surface 80 of the construction block 68 (or within the material of the same), the ring 66 and connecting members 78 at least partially circumscribe the plurality of passageways 72.

Additionally, by forming the lateral confinement ring 66 to include a plurality of connecting members 78, the ring 66 may have a higher strength and/or ductility relative to other rings, such as the ring 22 shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, due to the additional cross-sectional support provided by the plurality of connecting members 78. Furthermore, by having apertures 82 formed in the ring 66 that align with the passageways 72 in the construction block 68, the ring 66 may be visually aligned with the surface 80 of the construction block 68, allowing for proper positioning during assembly. Additionally, any of the lateral confinement rings described herein may be formed from one or more of metal, carbon fiber, polymeric material (e.g., plastics or other polymers), or another material or composite material, and may also be formed from a single piece of material (e.g., one integrally formed piece) or from multiple pieces of material (e.g., separate sections or types of material) that are attached together, including in sequenced or running fashion.

Referring to FIGS. 6A-6D, different cross-sectional shapes of a lateral confinement ring used for increasing lateral strength and/or ductility of construction materials are provided, in accordance with an embodiment hereof. FIG. 6A depicts a square cross-sectional area of a lateral confinement ring. FIG. 6B depicts a rectangular cross-sectional area of a lateral confinement ring. FIG. 6C depicts a circular cross-sectional area of a lateral confinement ring. FIG. 6D depicts a triangular cross-sectional area of a lateral confinement ring. Other cross-sectional shapes, sizes, and textures of a lateral confinement ring are possible and contemplated in addition to those depicted and described in this disclosure. It should also be noted that a surface on which a lateral confinement ring is positioned need not necessarily be smooth, and rather, may be deformed or irregular.

Referring to FIG. 7A, a structure 84 assembled from a plurality of construction blocks 86 with an axial force 88 applied to the structure 84 is provided, in accordance with an embodiment hereof. The structure 84 includes construction blocks 90 located at a corner 92 of the structure 84. Positioned between the construction blocks 90 are lateral confinement rings 94 which may be the same as the lateral confinement ring 22 depicted in FIGS. 3A-3B, or different. The lateral confinement rings 94 may be incorporated near the corner 92 of the structure 84 to help reduce the incidence of failure near the corner 92 when a lateral force is applied to the structure 84.

Referring to FIG. 7B, the structure 84 of FIG. 7A is depicted with the axial force 88 being applied to the structure 84, and also, a lateral force 96 (e.g., which may be caused by an impact, seismic activity, wind, etc.) being applied to the structure 84, in accordance with embodiments hereof. The lateral forces 96 provide an additional lateral stress on the construction blocks 86, 90. The lateral confinement rings 94 provide additional confinement, strength, and/or ductility in the lateral direction, particularly in the construction blocks 90 near the corner 92 of the structure 84 which may be first to fail when the lateral forces 96 exceed the lateral force tolerance of the structure 84 and the construction blocks 86, 90 thereof.

Referring to FIG. 8, a block diagram of an exemplary method 800 of assembling construction materials to provide lateral confinement and support is provided, in accordance with an embodiment hereof. At block 810, a construction block, such as the construction block 24 shown in FIG. 3A, comprising at least one construction material, such as masonry material, and a surface, such as the first side surface 46 of the construction block 24 shown in FIG. 3A, are provided. At block 820, a securing material, such as the securing material 26 shown in FIG. 3A, is placed on the surface of the construction block. At block 830, a ring, such as the ring 22 shown in FIG. 3A, comprising a continuous outer perimeter, such as the continuous outer perimeter 28 shown in FIG. 3A, is placed onto the securing material. The ring has a higher tensile strength than the at least one construction material.

The subject matter of this disclosure has been described in relation to particular embodiments, which are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present subject matter pertains without departing from the scope hereof. Different combinations of elements, as well as use of elements not shown, are also possible and contemplated. 

1. A device for increasing lateral strength, confinement, and ductility of a construction block, the device comprising: a solid ring shaped and sized to fit at least partially within a perimeter of the construction block, the solid ring comprising a first side and an opposite second side, the first side forming a first planar surface, and the second side forming a second planar surface, wherein the solid ring comprises a continuous outer perimeter with four corners and an inner perimeter that defines at least one opening, and wherein the ring increases at least one of a lateral strength, a lateral confinement, and a lateral ductility of the construction block when secured to a surface of the construction block such that the ring fits at least partially within the perimeter of the construction block.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the ring comprises at least one of metal, carbon fiber, and polymeric material, and wherein the ring has a higher tensile strength than the piece of construction material.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the ring comprises a square, a rectangle, a triangle, or a circle across at least part of the ring, and wherein the at least one inner perimeter is sized to circumscribe an opening of a passageway formed in the construction block.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the first planar surface is formed by an apex of the first side extending about the continuous outer perimeter, and wherein the second planar surface is formed by an apex of the second side extending about the continuous outer perimeter.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the ring comprises one integrally formed piece of material or a plurality of separate pieces of material attached together.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the ring forms a rectangle shape with four corners each having a curved radius, and wherein the ring includes at least one connecting member extending between opposite sides of the ring.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the ring further comprises a plurality of separate inner rings sized to be enclosed within the continuous outer perimeter of the ring.
 8. An assembly for increasing lateral strength, confinement, and ductility of construction materials, the assembly comprising: a construction block comprising at least one construction material and a surface having a perimeter; and a ring comprising a rectangular shape with a continuous outer perimeter, the ring comprising a first side and an opposite second side, the first side forming a first planar surface, and the second side forming a second planar surface, wherein each corner of the rectangular shape comprises a curved radius, wherein the outer perimeter of the ring fits within the perimeter of the surface of the construction block, and wherein a material used to form the ring has a higher tensile strength than the at least one construction material of the construction block.
 9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the ring comprises one integrally formed piece of material or a plurality of separate pieces of material attached together.
 10. The assembly of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of separate inner rings sized to be enclosed within the continuous outer perimeter of the ring.
 11. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the ring comprises four corners and forms an inner perimeter that defines at least one opening.
 12. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the ring is shaped such that the continuous outer perimeter forms a plurality of adjoined linear contours with no acute angles, and wherein the ring includes at least one connecting member extending between opposite sides of the ring.
 13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the construction block includes a pair of passageways extending from a first side surface of the construction block to a second side surface of the construction block, and wherein the ring and the connecting member are sized and arranged such that the ring and the connecting member, when overlaid on the first or the second side surface of the construction block, continuously circumscribe the pair of passageways.
 14. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the ring is formed from at least one of metal, wood, carbon fiber, and polymeric material, and wherein a diameter of the ring at a widest point is equal to or less than half an inch.
 15. A method of assembling construction materials to provide lateral strength, confinement, and support, the method comprising: positioning a construction block comprising at least one construction material and a surface having a perimeter at a location; placing a securing material on the surface of the construction block; and placing a ring comprising a continuous outer perimeter onto the securing material such that the ring is enclosed within the perimeter of the surface of the construction block, the ring comprising a first side and an opposite second side, the first side forming a first planar surface, and the second side forming a second planar surface, wherein the ring is rectangular and includes a curved radius on each corner, and wherein the ring comprises a higher tensile strength than the at least one construction material.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the ring is formed from at least one of metal, carbon fiber, and polymeric material.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the construction block comprises a solid block.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the construction block comprises a non-solid block including at least one of: one or more passageways extending therethrough; one or more cavities formed therein; and one or more hollowed portions contained therein.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the ring includes at least one connecting member extending between opposite sides of the ring, and wherein the ring and the connecting member are formed such as to lay flat when positioned on the surface of the construction block.
 20. The method of claim 15, further comprising positioning a separate construction block on top of the construction block, the ring, and the securing material, wherein the securing material comprises a mortar. 